Crew Cuts

October 31, 2013

As both an assistant and head coach, Robert Warzycha was on the sideline for every single game
of Eddie Gaven’s Crew career – all 230 of them, spread across eight seasons and multiple
competitions.

It’s hard to fathom that when the Crew takes the field next season, neither player will be in
uniform on the field or on the bench. After Gaven stunned the soccer world with his decision to
retire at age 27, Warzycha described his former player as a special person.

“He’s a special player and a special person,” he told The Dispatch. “He’s somebody that never
complains. He’s somebody that never takes a shortcut. He’s somebody that is enjoying every single
day when he’s on the field. He’s enjoying every single day that he wakes up in the morning because
he’s so positive. I wish that he could spread the happiness and enjoyment to more people, to be
honest with you.”

October 31, 2013

One of the Crew's core pieces is stepping away from the puzzle. Today, veteran midfielder Eddie
Gaven announced his retirement from Major League Soccer at age 27.

Gaven, an 11-year MLS veteran, was acquired by the Crew in 2006 and scored 35 goals during his
eight seasons with the club. After setting a career high with nine goals last season, he suffered a
torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in a U.S. Open Cup game this season and was lost
for the rest of the year.

The decision has nothing to do with the injury.

A fan favorite for his steady style of play, as well as his famous beard, Gaven signed a
two-year contract extension in 2011 to remain with the Crew.

October 31, 2013

In hindsight, the signs were there that this would not be quite the season Jairo Arrieta was
hoping for. Or, to be more specific, there was one sign that gave it away.

When Crew fans streamed into Crew Stadium for the first home game of the season, four new player
banners greeted them from the south side of the concourse. One of them featured the team’s
co-leading scorer from a season ago, and he bore a striking resemblance to Arrieta.

As you can see in the photo, he was identified as “Jairo Arreita.” It was an inauspicious start
to what would be a season of disappointment for Arrieta, one full of trips between the Crew, the
Costa Rican national team and, surprisingly, the bench. The end result was three goals in 26
appearances including 21 starts and a question of where he might fit in the team’s plans next
season.

October 31, 2013

Our week of fan voting has reached its penultimate day. After soliciting readers for their votes
on team MVP, defensive MVP and biggest disappointment this past year, we now turn our focus to the
weeks and months ahead.

October 29, 2013

The strange saga of Matias Sanchez and the Crew started Feb. 4 when the Argentinian midfielder
officially arrived in Columbus but without a contract. The Crew was preparing to head to Florida
for the Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic, but first coach Robert Warzycha and the staff said
they wanted to see Sanchez in person.

It sounded odd, given that they had already extensively scouted him, but the process took little
time. After a light session on the indoor field at the SuperKick facility in Lewis Center, Sanchez
made the trip with the Crew and was announced as having signed a contract Feb. 8.

“With the things we knew before, we just wanted to see him on the field: how he is running, how
he interacting with the players and how he is keeping the ball here,” Warzycha said that day. “He’s
a good player. He showed he is the guy we were looking for.”

October 27, 2013

For the last several years, the Crew has approached roster construction by building around what
it views as a core group of players. This group is tasked with carrying on what the club believes
is the Crew’s level of expectations both on and off the field even as complimentary pieces are
added and subtracted in an effort to build a sustainable, winning product.

Time appears to be running out on that notion. After a second straight season without a
postseason berth, interim coach Brian Bliss said upcoming roster evaluations will be
interesting.

October 27, 2013

Nine weeks after being introduced as the Crew’s interim coach, Bliss posted a 4-4-0 record while
being publicly affirmed by management as a finalist for the full-time position. After tonight’s 1-0
loss to New England, Bliss said the decision is out of his hands.